A fiery video has resurfaced on showing former Prime Minister Raila Odinga issuing harsh criticism against President William Ruto's government over the controversial Russian donated fertilizer saga
In the video, Raila, then a fierce opposition leader, accused the government of deceiving Kenyans by claiming to have subsidised fertilizer, when in fact, he said, the fertilizer was donated by Russia.
The video resurfaced after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ">accused Ruto of allowing his allies to sell the fertilizer to farmers.
He further alleged that government officials tampered with the fertilizer by mixing it with sand to inflate the quantity to 100,000 tons.
"You claim to have reduced the price of fertilizers yet you were given it for free by Russia. You received 34,000 tons, then added sand to make it 100,000 tons. You claim to have reduced the price from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500. Give the farmers the fertilizer for free or pick one to distribute it. There's no need to sell what was donated. Is that really noble?" Raila said in the viral video.
Raila odinga on fertiliser before Joining Kasongo pic.twitter.com/o7ECWy7qwa - Coletta Aluda (@Colettaaluda_1) April 8, 2025
At the time, President William Ruto dismissed the allegations during the launch of the Central Securities Depository platform in Nairobi on September 11, 2023.
He refuted any claims of foul play in the fertilizer subsidy programme, accusing the opposition of peddling propaganda.
"The chronic propagandists and those who believe in voodoo say there were 30,000 tons of fertilizer-I don't know from where. We've distributed about 280,000 tons, or 4.5 million bags, using technology and data for efficiency," said Ruto.
The Head of State defended the process, insisting the fertilizers were customized for specific soil types after scientific soil analysis was conducted.
"We conducted soil surveys. We use science, not voodoo. Those saying we're selling sand believe in voodoo-we believe in science," he declared.
Adding fuel to the fire back then was former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In an interview with KTN News, Gachagua revisited the claims, stating that fertilizer donated by Russia and Algeria was diverted to a private firm linked to Ruto.
"Russia donated 40,000 metric tons, and Algeria gave 30,000 metric tons. These were handed to Maisha Minerals Limited, a company owned by Ruto's ally. They blended it with counterfeit fertilizer and sold it to the government for Sh4,000," said Gachagua.
He further alleged that a KEBS report documenting the scandal was shelved to protect key figures.
"I have documents to support these claims," he added.
